Professor Hutton is an absolute delight to listen to. I loved how respectful he was of paganism as a human expression, and the way he sprinkles witty remarks in his speech is just perfect.
This was a fascinating and succinct lecture. Quite beautiful in truth and respect. Thank you Professor Hutton for your intellectual and sensitive account.
It made my day that Dr. Hutton mentioned Terry Pratchett as a modern source of pagan inspiration 💖🕯 Terry Pratchett taught me more about magic than any other author both of fantasy and history. Theories in his books (specifically "Head-ology') are valid psychological approaches to spirituality. That isn't to mention how insightful and funny the portrayals of government and magical order are.
Brilliant choice to end with a version of The Charge of The Goddess. I add some more poetry... "Once we have allowed ourselves to look into [The Goddess'] open eyes, we can never lose sight of her again. For she faces us in the mirror, and her steps echo each time we place foot to round. Try to leap away, and she will pull you back. You cannot fall away from her-there is nowhere she is not. -Starhawk, “Spiral Dance”
Behold, the only person on earth capable of mentioning geometry in the opening of his lecture and then proceeding to deliver a brilliant talk that has me riveted to my seat.
Professor Dutton read the Charge of the Goddess so beautifully. That he reversed it shows humility, respect and deep understanding which evades almost all men. Blessings upon him. 🌘
There might not be any official holy writings but I reckon Doreen Valiente’s ‘Charge Of The Goddess’ is right up there for Witches/Wiccans. A great lecture.
Great wide-ranging summary! The people who follow ancient Egyptian polytheism retain a lot of the features mentioned in the Western Magical Tradition lecture, such as magic and religion being indistinguishable. Many of the pagan/polytheists regard offerings not as sacrifices or supplication, but hospitality. If someone you admired dropped by, you'd offer them something nice. Burn that incense, break out the biscuits and tea. Some of the pagan/polytheists are working to build actual theology, using the work of modern Platonist scholars as a starting point. Sometimes they'll work in the idea that the universe is a bit chaotic, so it's not static perfectionism. Maybe part of that's influenced by Pratchett!
I am surprised that you say that Wicca, Druidism and Shamanism are the three main branches of modern paganism today. They were quite prevalent in the public consciousness when I was growing up in England in the 80s and 90s (Wicca and Druidism anyway, I was less aware of Shamanism). But I don’t see much of them today. I see a lot more about Norse/Germanic and Celtic Neo-Paganism now, as well as Graeco-Roman Neo-Paganism from Southern Europeans. But maybe that is just because I am interested in the academic study of pre-Christian European religion, so those Neo-Paganisms show up in my web ecosystem?
I'm grateful to have these recordings available for free, there are some great lectures and I enjoyed this one, but the constant flitting between camera views and slide full screen is unbearable, it's often impossible to read a slide that has a lot of text on it because of this back and forth. I have to listen as if it's a podcast and ignore the slides. I wish you wouldn't!
I'm surprised he didn't develop more Norse Paganism (for instance) and, especially its link with its "blood-land" believes, and the way it's used and fueled by far right. I see a lot of people online interested by Pagan "polytheism".
Important point. Perhaps being a corruption of paganism and more in the satanic and vein of will, force and yt supremacy it is more of a side note. I agree with Professor Dutton that those qualities are incompatible with paganism.
Is this conflating new age spirituality and modern paganism a bit too much? Or do you see them as the same thing? Golden Dawn vs someone who believes in healing crystals, for example, seem so far apart that it is reductive to see them as a single phenomenon.
Warning, this is longer than I had initially intended lol. Not really. New age spirituality did kind-of spring up in a way from a blending of modern paganism and science. As a pagan who's interested in the sciences, I can see the connections new age teachers and practitioners in general are trying to make. Imo, I think most of them sort-of suck at it (sorry), and it leaves too much room for unscrupulous folks to sneak in thought-stopping techniques in place of genuine self-reflection, reliance on a central cult-figure within a particular community in place of teaching self-trust and -reliance. I haven't seen too many new age communities changing their doctrines, ideologies, teachings, etc to keep up with the latest scientific knowledge, either, tbh. Many of them seem to be stuck at least a decade back that way as far as science goes. Tbf, there may well be new age groups/communities that keep pace with half of their source material, and there are more likely than not individual practitioners that do. I'm just a 40yo "generic" pagan who hasn't put her nose into any new age communities in ~19-ish years lol.
So I've heard but never really been interested in a division within the pagan community between those that self-refer as pagan and those that self-refer as polytheist. However after listening to this lecture - which was absolutely wonderful by the way - I find it hard to relate to paganism as depicted. I 'practice' revived Roman religion (practice isn't really a good word) and worship the gods (and my departed family members and ancestors) in ways that have been recorded by the romans themselves, with obvious adaptations for the fact I live in modern society that has learned a thing or two over the past 2000 years. My religion doesn't define my identity at all, indeed it emerges from my identity as a latin southern European. I don't view it as a faith, nor as a method of self actualisation nor is it initiatory in any way. I don't practice ceremonial magic of any kind, though I have the odd amulet here and there. I simply worship the gods (whom in an animistic way, I view as being present in, or who simply are, the living phenomena of life and the world around me, that sustain my life) with sacrifices, prayers and oaths, I observe festivals and other important times such as the Kalends, Nones and Ides of the month which like those of any religion give a contour to the weeks and months of the year. As I don't see my religion as separate to the rest of my life or constituting a distinct identity, I don't feel the need for religious community - my community is the wider community in which I live my life. It would however be great to have shrines/temples to visit as there now are a few in Italy for example. One element shared with what Ronald Hutton described in paganism however, is that I don't see the gods as the source of morality, or as being hugely interested in the affairs or interests of human beings. But of course there is plenty of classical literature written by ancient pagans, that do indeed touch on issues of ethics which I enjoy exploring and which do shape my ethical and philosophical views, but these are not religious doctrine or dogma. I should also stress that I'm not trying to recreate ancient roman society and life - nor do I dress up in togas etc, I'm just a modern 21st century man whose animistic/polytheistic beliefs, are expressed through ancient roman religion which is culturally very relevant and indeed all around us.
Interesting! Alan Watts said it’s ironic that westerners studying eastern philosophy take on those rituals and beliefs… because the whole point is releasing yourself from exactly those things. It sounds like the same thing’s happening here. I thought Dr. Hutton was describing people practicing self-realization… UNTIL he described the worshipping and rituals. It seems as if modern pagans are just copying the practices of modern religions without REALLY understanding their point. ;)
Great talk as ever by Professor Hutton. The roots of paganism in antiquity stem from a traceable and visible cosmological event thanks to new methods used in Los Alamos plasma labs pioneered by Anthony Pratt, plasma scientist. The story is taken up by mythologists, scientist and linguists working within the Thunderbolts group and extends from studying the actual forms of high density plasma created by sky events and their effects on Earth including cataclysm, great geological changes at rapid pace and 1000 years or so of spectacular visuals recorded globally as petroglyphs, giving rise to verbal records and the veneration of gods, mysterious landscapes, giant trees, mountains etc full of fascinating and bizarre inhabitants.'Paganism" or the memory of what created it is inherent in us. The immature and adolescent practices "railing" agains the Christian norms are misguided in that they are both from the same root. While Saturn was the old Sun (much attested in ancient Mesopotamia etc) the Son or new Sun, Jesus and other young solar deities replace him. The actual planet Saturn was displaced and "exiled" to his position now. That is another event to be explained which Isak Velikovsky and others have done admirably. The fall out of these ancient events is everywhere with common threads if you look. Indian, Norse, Middle Eastern, Chinese, meso American, Central European, Aboriginal, African myth all contain the same elements and the Aboriginals of Kimberly will tell you that "Wandijna" - the petroglyph which vaguely resembles an owl's face was not a creature but a source of power. The power was gamma radiation and highly impactful electromagnetic.
'Good' religions bring people together, reinforcing a sense of community and shared identity/experience. Too much of modern paganism, at least as I've observed it from a distance, is extremely self-centred and often errs toward superficiality. But I might guess that before communal spirituality can blossom, society itself would have to reintegrate into proper communities on its own. One can dream... :P Also, it's possible that the lack of rules and taboos, and the general alignment with inclusivity culture, means there is currently no mechanism to *reject* the really superficial TikTok characters, or to be able to call anything "wrong" and create boundaries.
Yes. Going off the census data, the percent of modern pagans in the West is usually between 1%-5% of the population. They're also a rapidly growing faith. For example, in Iceland, the pagan population (mostly Norse Pagan) was 0.20% in 2000 and 1.31% in 2020.
@o-Cuidighthigh Huh, there certainly are those that do, but the view of the Gods being archetypes has, in my experience, been pretty fringe, at least the English-speaking pagan community. Where have you seen that, if you don't mind my asking?
@o-Cuidighthigh Interesting! I've been a part of the pagan community for years. Most of the pagans I know are hard polytheist where the Gods are seen as seperate spiritual beings, with a minority being soft polytheists where the Gods are reflections of a single spiritual nature. The idea of the Gods as archetypes is something I've only seen a handful of times. Though I've heard it's more common in Wiccan parts of the community. I'm more a part of the reconstructionist/revivalist part of the pagan community (Heathenry specifically). Maybe that's where the difference lies?
When Dr. Hutton will be 70 days dead I will add his name to my ancestor shrine for sure - I remember my teachers and role models there as well as family members. ... though I sure hope that this occasion is still far off in the future!
I am a bit confounded, bemused and disappointed by the ignorance and dismissal of Satanism and Luciferianism at the end of this lecture. While I understand and accept that ignorance about Satanism and Luciferianism is widespread in non-academic society, I would expect an academic like Ronald Hutton to do some homework before making sweeping dismissals like this. 1. There are a variety of Satanic organizations, most prominently the Church of Satan, along with the Temple of Set and the Satanic Temple. Two of these are atheistic, using Satan as a symbol of rebellion and self-empowerment, rather than regarding Satan as a real supernatural entity. On the other hand, while Satanism does cover a variety of theistic takes amongst individuals and smaller covens, these tend to not be interested in the Christian devil, but again just use Satan as a label for an almost animistic force of primordial darkness and chaos, similar to Schopenhauer's "will to live". 2. Meanwhile, Luciferianism is in fact a type of Paganism, drawing on the symbolism of the Roman figure of Lucifer the Morning Star, along with the Greek analogues Hesperus and Phospherus. Although many Luciferians may have some appreciation for Satanic aesthetics, they are inclined to not identify themselves as Satanists. In the Luciferian mind, Lucifer is an ambiguous but friendly guide, and Luciferians tend to have a more scholarly and less edgy approach to magic and mysticism. No one who has put ten minutes of study into Satanism in the last thirty years could seriously spout these outdated dismissals with a straight face. It seems that Hutton is more interested in protecting his pet religion from a boogieman than true scholarship on non-Christian worldviews.
@@annodomini7250 It's not really my personal belief system. More just something I'm interested in and sympathetic to. It is annoying when a purported academic gets basic facts wrong in their own field. Do you think it's okay for scholars of religion to tell lies about other religions because they want to shore up approval for their favorites? Do you have anything substantial to say, or are you just here to get off on being mean for no reason?
One would conclude..as the lecture is on modern pagan relegion....Satan/ Lucifer...find their roots in Christianity...and Judaism...each a separate religion on their own...and are not relevant to the topic. Just my opinion.
@@lwhitaker4054 Satan != Lucifer. Lucifer is pagan. Like I said, it's okay for you to be ignorant if you're not an academic. My issue is with Ronald Hutton strongly asserting things that are not true. If Satan and/or Lucifer are not relevant, why did he even feel the need to mention them? Yet, he did, and so here we are :/
This was an interesting lecture, however, tot discussing how much modern pagan traditions, especially Wicca, take from Hindu and other Indian practices and traditions, as well as Indigenous Ameridian closed practices and traditions, while claim and rewriting them with false ancient/medieval origins, only discussing that aspect with the Shamanists, misrepresents them and discredits much of the good in this lecture.
@@flintliddon Then why are Christian apologists so worried about them. See that's the thing. They swear up and down that modern Paganism isn't real. Just a bunch of silly people LARPing in the woods in cheap cloaks. But yet they dedicate hundreds of thousands of hours and endless energy trying to defeat it. Nobody puts that kind of work into fighting harmless LARPing.
Is that inherently a bad or wrong thing though? I think defeated is an interesting choice of word too, I understand it on one level obviously, we can refer to the old religions as dying, but I think about some deities and how long they were worshipped for, some people could say they have been sleeping for a while but waking up again now. The goddess Isis is very popular with some modern Pagans. She was worshipped continuously for around 2.500 to 3000 years (longer than Christianity has existed) and has been worshipped again now in the modern day and for the last 100 years or so. We could put a spin on this and say some of these old Gods are so potent that they endured despite the official ending of their cults (not to mention the fact that so many continued to be spoken of in literature). Just some thoughts, I'm not criticising or attacking, just to be clear.
I would say yes. It is directly related to pre-Christian European religions, which is what the word “pagan” really refers to. They both originate in Proto-Indo-European religion from the Western Eurasian Steppe in Ukraine and Southern Russia 5 - 6,000 years ago, though mixed with other traditions it came into contact with along the way, and evolved over thousands of years. Some might say it is not pagan because Hindus believe in one god, with the many gods being different emanations of the one. But this was likely the case in many European paganisms too.
@@monolith94 No because Sanatan Dharma is not polytheistic in the way neo-pagans think. It is founded upon the universal monism of Vedanta...all the devatas are forms of Brahman, of the non-dual One. Having said that, I think this same metaphysical understanding underlay the ancient religions of the palaeo-pagans.
No. Generally, Paganism refers to attempts at reviving pre-Christian religions. Religions like Hinduism, Shinto, Buddhism, and several others I can't remember off the top of my head (insert general nod to the indigenous cultures around the world that are in danger of becoming the next full-throated addition to Paganism here, I hope that doesn't happen) have living cultural roots stretching back for longer than Christianity has been a thing and thus by their nature are not any kind of Paganism.
Prayer to Thor for Strength Thunder rolls, lightning strikes, And the hammer flies across the sky. God of the weather, chariot of the storm, Master of rain and torrents, Son of the strength of Mother Earth, I ask you to grant me that strength for myself. You who are so great that you cannot walk Across the Rainbow Bridge without breaking it, You whose tree is the mighty oak, O Thunor, grant me that unending sturdiness. Let me not break beneath the blows of misfortune. Keep me from being crushed when the powerful Stomp their large feet on the smaller ones below. You who are the guardian of the common man, You who care for the farmers and workers, Look upon me here in this place where I am Only one of many, and protect my steps. Make me resilient and mighty as your own arm, Make me unbreakable, you who are Friend of Man. I ask for one small percentage of the vigor Of the right arm of the Thunderer, That I might brave the tempest And stand firm in the gales. Thunder rolls, lightning strikes, And the hammer flies across the sky.
40:22 Returning to their roots in no way negates their artifice, unless you imagine that there is a religion that isn't made by people, and I would be fascinated to know which of the thousands it is.
@o-Cuidighthigh You assume abandonment, some people were lucky enough to never be involved with it, at least until it was too late to regard it as anything other than wishful thinking from a bygone era.
@o-Cuidighthigh _Many feel, though, that this has created a certain void where religion once stood._ I agree that it formed a pretty central social bond in the past but that has always been undermined, in the case of the UK it was predominantly anti-Catholic bias that remains enshrined in law to this day. In the modern era of multiculturism we in the UK need a secular driver of social cohesion more than ever because religion merely divides, despite the accommodations made by the CofE.
Try telling that to the many modern Pagans who ARE scientists lol Ritual, magic, spiritual ecstasy and direct personal first hand experiences of psychic abilities, spirits, Gods and the existence of other realms tend to make life more enriching and exciting.
I see Prof. Hutton, I click, like, and comment.
Dr. Hutton is a world treasure!💚
Professor Hutton is an absolute delight to listen to. I loved how respectful he was of paganism as a human expression, and the way he sprinkles witty remarks in his speech is just perfect.
This was a fascinating and succinct lecture. Quite beautiful in truth and respect. Thank you Professor Hutton for your intellectual and sensitive account.
I love that Dr. Hutton chose to close this lecture by reciting The Charge of the Goddess. ❤
It made my day that Dr. Hutton mentioned Terry Pratchett as a modern source of pagan inspiration 💖🕯
Terry Pratchett taught me more about magic than any other author both of fantasy and history. Theories in his books (specifically "Head-ology') are valid psychological approaches to spirituality. That isn't to mention how insightful and funny the portrayals of government and magical order are.
His point about the connection between magic and religion, which he has lectured about before, is HIS concept and it's genius.
Brilliant choice to end with a version of The Charge of The Goddess. I add some more poetry... "Once we have allowed ourselves to look into [The Goddess'] open eyes, we can never lose sight of her again. For she faces us in the mirror, and her steps echo each time we place foot to round. Try to leap away, and she will pull you back. You cannot fall away from her-there is nowhere she is not. -Starhawk, “Spiral Dance”
Wow! That was beautiful. I am so happy that I get to hear these lectures.
Behold, the only person on earth capable of mentioning geometry in the opening of his lecture and then proceeding to deliver a brilliant talk that has me riveted to my seat.
So glad to have found this!
he's the man
Thank you for another fascinating and enlightening lecture.
This lecture is an excellent and comprehensive primer for anyone who is wondering....
Hello again, professor! I love your work!
Professor Dutton read the Charge of the Goddess so beautifully. That he reversed it shows humility, respect and deep understanding which evades almost all men. Blessings upon him. 🌘
There might not be any official holy writings but I reckon Doreen Valiente’s ‘Charge Of The Goddess’ is right up there for Witches/Wiccans. A great lecture.
Thank you so much for this.
The prospect of listening to this indices tangible, physical excitement in me.
The end is very moving, well done.
Thank you. Watching from Alaska.
🤔
Marvellous! As a Pagan Druid/Wiccan, I found this to be a truly wonderful lecture! :)
I very much enjoyed this lecture.
Fine Speaking Prof Hutton always a joy to listen 🐰
Great wide-ranging summary!
The people who follow ancient Egyptian polytheism retain a lot of the features mentioned in the Western Magical Tradition lecture, such as magic and religion being indistinguishable.
Many of the pagan/polytheists regard offerings not as sacrifices or supplication, but hospitality. If someone you admired dropped by, you'd offer them something nice. Burn that incense, break out the biscuits and tea.
Some of the pagan/polytheists are working to build actual theology, using the work of modern Platonist scholars as a starting point. Sometimes they'll work in the idea that the universe is a bit chaotic, so it's not static perfectionism. Maybe part of that's influenced by Pratchett!
I am surprised that you say that Wicca, Druidism and Shamanism are the three main branches of modern paganism today. They were quite prevalent in the public consciousness when I was growing up in England in the 80s and 90s (Wicca and Druidism anyway, I was less aware of Shamanism). But I don’t see much of them today. I see a lot more about Norse/Germanic and Celtic Neo-Paganism now, as well as Graeco-Roman Neo-Paganism from Southern Europeans. But maybe that is just because I am interested in the academic study of pre-Christian European religion, so those Neo-Paganisms show up in my web ecosystem?
Sounds about right. I have to deliberately look for information on things outside my primary interests, since google tends to know me well enough lol.
@o-Cuidighthigh Yeah. I feel like he hasn’t kept up with what people are into since 30 years ago
A key point I was waiting for was Community. Any common interest bonds people of like mind?
First view....don't mind if I do 🥰
Good job, thx!
When was this video made ? People and clothing looks from 25 years ago.
Good info.
I'm grateful to have these recordings available for free, there are some great lectures and I enjoyed this one, but the constant flitting between camera views and slide full screen is unbearable, it's often impossible to read a slide that has a lot of text on it because of this back and forth. I have to listen as if it's a podcast and ignore the slides. I wish you wouldn't!
I'm into spirits 🥂
It's nice that the College is able to provide him with a can to speak into. I wonder if it's a human or pet food can.
I'm surprised he didn't develop more Norse Paganism (for instance) and, especially its link with its "blood-land" believes, and the way it's used and fueled by far right. I see a lot of people online interested by Pagan "polytheism".
Important point. Perhaps being a corruption of paganism and more in the satanic and vein of will, force and yt supremacy it is more of a side note. I agree with Professor Dutton that those qualities are incompatible with paganism.
🙂
Wondering about the position of Asatru and modern heathenry in this summary of modern paganism.
Heathenry fits pretty comfortably into this description of modern paganism.
Lovely
I have horseshoes every where and recite "White Rabbits" three times the first day of each month!
Your podcasts on Pocket casts aren't working
Is this conflating new age spirituality and modern paganism a bit too much? Or do you see them as the same thing? Golden Dawn vs someone who believes in healing crystals, for example, seem so far apart that it is reductive to see them as a single phenomenon.
Warning, this is longer than I had initially intended lol.
Not really. New age spirituality did kind-of spring up in a way from a blending of modern paganism and science. As a pagan who's interested in the sciences, I can see the connections new age teachers and practitioners in general are trying to make. Imo, I think most of them sort-of suck at it (sorry), and it leaves too much room for unscrupulous folks to sneak in thought-stopping techniques in place of genuine self-reflection, reliance on a central cult-figure within a particular community in place of teaching self-trust and -reliance.
I haven't seen too many new age communities changing their doctrines, ideologies, teachings, etc to keep up with the latest scientific knowledge, either, tbh. Many of them seem to be stuck at least a decade back that way as far as science goes.
Tbf, there may well be new age groups/communities that keep pace with half of their source material, and there are more likely than not individual practitioners that do. I'm just a 40yo "generic" pagan who hasn't put her nose into any new age communities in ~19-ish years lol.
New age spirituality is modern paganism
Look man all I’m sayin is we use crystals in tech to send and receive signals 🤔😅
🤷♂️idk maybe there’s sumthin to that crystal stuff
So I've heard but never really been interested in a division within the pagan community between those that self-refer as pagan and those that self-refer as polytheist. However after listening to this lecture - which was absolutely wonderful by the way - I find it hard to relate to paganism as depicted. I 'practice' revived Roman religion (practice isn't really a good word) and worship the gods (and my departed family members and ancestors) in ways that have been recorded by the romans themselves, with obvious adaptations for the fact I live in modern society that has learned a thing or two over the past 2000 years.
My religion doesn't define my identity at all, indeed it emerges from my identity as a latin southern European. I don't view it as a faith, nor as a method of self actualisation nor is it initiatory in any way. I don't practice ceremonial magic of any kind, though I have the odd amulet here and there. I simply worship the gods (whom in an animistic way, I view as being present in, or who simply are, the living phenomena of life and the world around me, that sustain my life) with sacrifices, prayers and oaths, I observe festivals and other important times such as the Kalends, Nones and Ides of the month which like those of any religion give a contour to the weeks and months of the year.
As I don't see my religion as separate to the rest of my life or constituting a distinct identity, I don't feel the need for religious community - my community is the wider community in which I live my life. It would however be great to have shrines/temples to visit as there now are a few in Italy for example.
One element shared with what Ronald Hutton described in paganism however, is that I don't see the gods as the source of morality, or as being hugely interested in the affairs or interests of human beings. But of course there is plenty of classical literature written by ancient pagans, that do indeed touch on issues of ethics which I enjoy exploring and which do shape my ethical and philosophical views, but these are not religious doctrine or dogma.
I should also stress that I'm not trying to recreate ancient roman society and life - nor do I dress up in togas etc, I'm just a modern 21st century man whose animistic/polytheistic beliefs, are expressed through ancient roman religion which is culturally very relevant and indeed all around us.
Bit of a patriarchy problem with that, though, which is the problem of the hour and thus we must shift out of it or perish.
A beautiful ending spoken by a beautiful man.
Interesting! Alan Watts said it’s ironic that westerners studying eastern philosophy take on those rituals and beliefs… because the whole point is releasing yourself from exactly those things. It sounds like the same thing’s happening here.
I thought Dr. Hutton was describing people practicing self-realization… UNTIL he described the worshipping and rituals. It seems as if modern pagans are just copying the practices of modern religions without REALLY understanding their point. ;)
Well thought out and delivered as usual. Thank you 🦋
Great talk as ever by Professor Hutton. The roots of paganism in antiquity stem from a traceable and visible cosmological event thanks to new methods used in Los Alamos plasma labs pioneered by Anthony Pratt, plasma scientist. The story is taken up by mythologists, scientist and linguists working within the Thunderbolts group and extends from studying the actual forms of high density plasma created by sky events and their effects on Earth including cataclysm, great geological changes at rapid pace and 1000 years or so of spectacular visuals recorded globally as petroglyphs, giving rise to verbal records and the veneration of gods, mysterious landscapes, giant trees, mountains etc full of fascinating and bizarre inhabitants.'Paganism" or the memory of what created it is inherent in us. The immature and adolescent practices "railing" agains the Christian norms are misguided in that they are both from the same root. While Saturn was the old Sun (much attested in ancient Mesopotamia etc) the Son or new Sun, Jesus and other young solar deities replace him. The actual planet Saturn was displaced and "exiled" to his position now. That is another event to be explained which Isak Velikovsky and others have done admirably. The fall out of these ancient events is everywhere with common threads if you look. Indian, Norse, Middle Eastern, Chinese, meso American, Central European, Aboriginal, African myth all contain the same elements and the Aboriginals of Kimberly will tell you that "Wandijna" - the petroglyph which vaguely resembles an owl's face was not a creature but a source of power. The power was gamma radiation and highly impactful electromagnetic.
'Good' religions bring people together, reinforcing a sense of community and shared identity/experience. Too much of modern paganism, at least as I've observed it from a distance, is extremely self-centred and often errs toward superficiality. But I might guess that before communal spirituality can blossom, society itself would have to reintegrate into proper communities on its own. One can dream... :P Also, it's possible that the lack of rules and taboos, and the general alignment with inclusivity culture, means there is currently no mechanism to *reject* the really superficial TikTok characters, or to be able to call anything "wrong" and create boundaries.
I'm sharing a link for this on my FB page, so my parents, who have just learned that I'm pagan, have an opportunity to educate themselves... lol
very well spoken- but does anyone believe in these higher gods anymore?
Yes. Going off the census data, the percent of modern pagans in the West is usually between 1%-5% of the population. They're also a rapidly growing faith. For example, in Iceland, the pagan population (mostly Norse Pagan) was 0.20% in 2000 and 1.31% in 2020.
@o-Cuidighthigh Huh, there certainly are those that do, but the view of the Gods being archetypes has, in my experience, been pretty fringe, at least the English-speaking pagan community. Where have you seen that, if you don't mind my asking?
@o-Cuidighthigh Interesting! I've been a part of the pagan community for years. Most of the pagans I know are hard polytheist where the Gods are seen as seperate spiritual beings, with a minority being soft polytheists where the Gods are reflections of a single spiritual nature.
The idea of the Gods as archetypes is something I've only seen a handful of times. Though I've heard it's more common in Wiccan parts of the community. I'm more a part of the reconstructionist/revivalist part of the pagan community (Heathenry specifically). Maybe that's where the difference lies?
i will join the cult of Sir David Attenborough.
we would also do one for Dr Ronald Hutton.
When Dr. Hutton will be 70 days dead I will add his name to my ancestor shrine for sure - I remember my teachers and role models there as well as family members. ... though I sure hope that this occasion is still far off in the future!
He left out Northern Heathenry
Dr. Hutton is Merlin. Change my mind....
I would 100% join The Cult of Sir David Attenborough.
I am a bit confounded, bemused and disappointed by the ignorance and dismissal of Satanism and Luciferianism at the end of this lecture. While I understand and accept that ignorance about Satanism and Luciferianism is widespread in non-academic society, I would expect an academic like Ronald Hutton to do some homework before making sweeping dismissals like this.
1. There are a variety of Satanic organizations, most prominently the Church of Satan, along with the Temple of Set and the Satanic Temple. Two of these are atheistic, using Satan as a symbol of rebellion and self-empowerment, rather than regarding Satan as a real supernatural entity. On the other hand, while Satanism does cover a variety of theistic takes amongst individuals and smaller covens, these tend to not be interested in the Christian devil, but again just use Satan as a label for an almost animistic force of primordial darkness and chaos, similar to Schopenhauer's "will to live".
2. Meanwhile, Luciferianism is in fact a type of Paganism, drawing on the symbolism of the Roman figure of Lucifer the Morning Star, along with the Greek analogues Hesperus and Phospherus. Although many Luciferians may have some appreciation for Satanic aesthetics, they are inclined to not identify themselves as Satanists. In the Luciferian mind, Lucifer is an ambiguous but friendly guide, and Luciferians tend to have a more scholarly and less edgy approach to magic and mysticism.
No one who has put ten minutes of study into Satanism in the last thirty years could seriously spout these outdated dismissals with a straight face. It seems that Hutton is more interested in protecting his pet religion from a boogieman than true scholarship on non-Christian worldviews.
Poor you, your personal belief system side lined.
@@annodomini7250 It's not really my personal belief system. More just something I'm interested in and sympathetic to.
It is annoying when a purported academic gets basic facts wrong in their own field. Do you think it's okay for scholars of religion to tell lies about other religions because they want to shore up approval for their favorites?
Do you have anything substantial to say, or are you just here to get off on being mean for no reason?
One would conclude..as the lecture is on modern pagan relegion....Satan/ Lucifer...find their roots in Christianity...and Judaism...each a separate religion on their own...and are not relevant to the topic. Just my opinion.
@@lwhitaker4054 Satan != Lucifer. Lucifer is pagan. Like I said, it's okay for you to be ignorant if you're not an academic. My issue is with Ronald Hutton strongly asserting things that are not true.
If Satan and/or Lucifer are not relevant, why did he even feel the need to mention them? Yet, he did, and so here we are :/
@@TimothyRice-p1r Your assumption I am ignorant on the topic and am not an academic is erroneous. Moving on.
This was an interesting lecture, however, tot discussing how much modern pagan traditions, especially Wicca, take from Hindu and other Indian practices and traditions, as well as Indigenous Ameridian closed practices and traditions, while claim and rewriting them with false ancient/medieval origins, only discussing that aspect with the Shamanists, misrepresents them and discredits much of the good in this lecture.
It’s a return to gods which have already been defeated once before.
Obviously they were never “defeated”. The followers of Yahoo are just very murderous people.
The fact they are still being followed means they were never truly or fully defeated.
@@MistyMjolnir are you sure? Even so, they have been reduced to the status of the Lucky Charms,s Leprechaun.
@@flintliddon Then why are Christian apologists so worried about them.
See that's the thing. They swear up and down that modern Paganism isn't real. Just a bunch of silly people LARPing in the woods in cheap cloaks.
But yet they dedicate hundreds of thousands of hours and endless energy trying to defeat it. Nobody puts that kind of work into fighting harmless LARPing.
Is that inherently a bad or wrong thing though? I think defeated is an interesting choice of word too, I understand it on one level obviously, we can refer to the old religions as dying, but I think about some deities and how long they were worshipped for, some people could say they have been sleeping for a while but waking up again now. The goddess Isis is very popular with some modern Pagans. She was worshipped continuously for around 2.500 to 3000 years (longer than Christianity has existed) and has been worshipped again now in the modern day and for the last 100 years or so. We could put a spin on this and say some of these old Gods are so potent that they endured despite the official ending of their cults (not to mention the fact that so many continued to be spoken of in literature). Just some thoughts, I'm not criticising or attacking, just to be clear.
Is Hinduism Paganist?
No.
I would say yes. It is directly related to pre-Christian European religions, which is what the word “pagan” really refers to. They both originate in Proto-Indo-European religion from the Western Eurasian Steppe in Ukraine and Southern Russia 5 - 6,000 years ago, though mixed with other traditions it came into contact with along the way, and evolved over thousands of years. Some might say it is not pagan because Hindus believe in one god, with the many gods being different emanations of the one. But this was likely the case in many European paganisms too.
Yes
@@monolith94 No because Sanatan Dharma is not polytheistic in the way neo-pagans think. It is founded upon the universal monism of Vedanta...all the devatas are forms of Brahman, of the non-dual One. Having said that, I think this same metaphysical understanding underlay the ancient religions of the palaeo-pagans.
No. Generally, Paganism refers to attempts at reviving pre-Christian religions. Religions like Hinduism, Shinto, Buddhism, and several others I can't remember off the top of my head (insert general nod to the indigenous cultures around the world that are in danger of becoming the next full-throated addition to Paganism here, I hope that doesn't happen) have living cultural roots stretching back for longer than Christianity has been a thing and thus by their nature are not any kind of Paganism.
Prayer to Thor for Strength
Thunder rolls, lightning strikes,
And the hammer flies across the sky.
God of the weather, chariot of the storm,
Master of rain and torrents,
Son of the strength of Mother Earth,
I ask you to grant me that strength for myself.
You who are so great that you cannot walk
Across the Rainbow Bridge without breaking it,
You whose tree is the mighty oak,
O Thunor, grant me that unending sturdiness.
Let me not break beneath the blows of misfortune.
Keep me from being crushed when the powerful
Stomp their large feet on the smaller ones below.
You who are the guardian of the common man,
You who care for the farmers and workers,
Look upon me here in this place where I am
Only one of many, and protect my steps.
Make me resilient and mighty as your own arm,
Make me unbreakable, you who are Friend of Man.
I ask for one small percentage of the vigor
Of the right arm of the Thunderer,
That I might brave the tempest
And stand firm in the gales.
Thunder rolls, lightning strikes,
And the hammer flies across the sky.
So Mote It Be 🎃 Thank you 🍂
It’s all a bit different. I don’t think he found the right descriptive angle.
Great talk but too many ads and too long
So pay for Premium, deadbeat
I would hold that you yourself are a pagan.
40:22 Returning to their roots in no way negates their artifice, unless you imagine that there is a religion that isn't made by people, and I would be fascinated to know which of the thousands it is.
@o-Cuidighthigh You assume abandonment, some people were lucky enough to never be involved with it, at least until it was too late to regard it as anything other than wishful thinking from a bygone era.
@o-Cuidighthigh _Many feel, though, that this has created a certain void where religion once stood._ I agree that it formed a pretty central social bond in the past but that has always been undermined, in the case of the UK it was predominantly anti-Catholic bias that remains enshrined in law to this day. In the modern era of multiculturism we in the UK need a secular driver of social cohesion more than ever because religion merely divides, despite the accommodations made by the CofE.
All of these beliefs are just people wanting to believe in something (anything!) supernatural. Quite dull compared to actual science.
Science and paganism are not mutually exclusive
@@stevenbrown6277 science is magic
Try telling that to the many modern Pagans who ARE scientists lol Ritual, magic, spiritual ecstasy and direct personal first hand experiences of psychic abilities, spirits, Gods and the existence of other realms tend to make life more enriching and exciting.
@@rodriguezmystic PROOF WITH CITATIONS AND LINKS PLEASE?
Thanks for another insightful and captivating lecture!